[thinkingemote]

If something is important to me then I will hear it outside of the news. My neighbours, family, friends, email from government etc.

Of course, they might hear it from the news, but the idea is that I (and them) don't need to, to get on with life and still hear the important affective announcements.

The news is new.

It's more entertainment and sensation than information.

I do hear the news on the radio sometimes, this is ad supported and license fee supported. It's a side effect of listening to other programmes.